Handwriting Is Better Than Typing
In this busy, hectic and modern world, everyone seems to be
looking for the quickest and easiest way to get things done. Just
because something is faster, though, does not mean it is always
better. While typing on a keyboard may seem like the more
convenient, efficient and straightforward option, I am going to
tell you why that is incorrect. Handwriting is most certainly
better than typing.
To begin, writing by hand is a fantastic tool for developing and
strengthening fine motor skills. Fine motor development is an
essential part of our learning. Without these fine motor skills, we
would not only struggle to draw or write anything effectively but
also to properly feed ourselves, tie our shoelaces and button or zip
our clothes. How on earth would we look after ourselves? Typing
on a keyboard may offer some small benefit towards our fine
motor development but, as it is a less complex task, not nearly
as much as handwriting. For this reason, it is so important to
practice writing by hand, rather than on a keyboard, as often as
possible.
Additionally, when writing things down by hand you
really do know what you are writing. Studies have
shown that while you are writing, your brain
is simultaneously comprehending each and
every word. You know, understand and
take in what you have written and can
easily recall where it all is on the page.
Typing a text using a keyboard makes
it much easier to lose track of what
you are writing, creating the very likely
possibility that your text will turn out to
be far more confusing and incoherent.
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Handwriting Is Better Than Typing
Furthermore, have you ever seen someone working on a computer
with just one tab open? Well, I certainly haven’t! Computers
may offer many exciting opportunities, but that also means they
offer many more distractions. Even if you don't have multiple
programs and tabs open and running at the same time there will
still be a constant stream of pop-up notifications, system alerts
or even technical issues to distract you from your writing process.
Therefore, using computers, phones, laptops or any other devices
to type your writing really will not serve you well. They disturb
and sidetrack your focus, which in turn will affect your writing.
In conclusion, it is clear that the more traditional method of
writing by hand is the superior option. While writing with a
keyboard may seem like a quick and fun option, it is undoubtedly
less effective in getting the job done properly. Stick to pen and
paper - it’s definitely the best way to write.
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Handwriting Is Better Than Typing
Questions
1. What is the topic of this text?
2. Is the author for or against this topic? How do you know?
3. What reasons does the author give to support their opinion?
4. Who could the author be writing this text to?
5. What emotive words or phrases does the author use to persuade the reader?
6. What connectives (words or phrases) has the author used to sequence the text?
7. List two reasons the author uses to argue that developing fine motor skills is important.
8. Do you think that handwriting is better than typing? Why or why not?
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Handwriting Is Better Than Typing
Extenstion Task!
Using the colours indicated, read the passage again and highlight the different features that
can be found within most persuasive texts:
• Red - rhetorical questions
• Orange - facts
• Yellow - personal pronouns
• Green - rule of 3
• Blue - exaggeration
• Purple - adjectives
Write a persuasive text similar to the one above to convince your audience that typing is
better than handwriting. Try and use some of the same techniques and persuasive devices
that the author has used here.
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Handwriting Is Better Than Typing
Answers
1. What is the topic of this text?
The topic of this persuasive text is that handwriting using a pen/pencil and paper is
more effective than typing on a keyboard.
2. Is the author for or against this topic? How do you know?
The author is for this topic. Reasons will vary.
3. What reasons does the author give to support their opinion?
• Handwriting develops fine motor skills
• Writing by hand allows you to remember and comprehend what you have written
• Using a computer (or other device) is distracting
4. Who could the author be writing this text to?
• Students
• Teachers
• Parents
5. What emotive words or phrases does the author use to persuade the reader?
• …everyone seems to be looking for the quickest and easiest way to get things done.
(Paragraph 1)
• …an essential part… (Paragraph 2)
• …the very likely possibility… (Paragraph 3)
• …really will not serve you well (Paragraph 4)
• …is the superior option (Paragraph 5)
6. What connectives (words or phrases) has the author used to sequence the text?
• I am going to tell you…
• To begin…
• For this reason…
• Additionally…
• Furthermore…
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Handwriting Is Better Than Typing
• Therefore…
• In conclusion…
7. List two reasons the author uses to argue that developing fine motor skills is important.
• For drawing and writing
• To feed ourselves
• To tie our shoelaces
• To button or zip our jackets
8. Do you think that handwriting is better than typing? Why or why not?
Answers will vary.
Extenstion Task!
Using the colours indicated, read the passage again and highlight the different features that
can be found within most persuasive texts:
• Red - rhetorical questions
• Orange - facts
• Yellow - personal pronouns
• Green - rule of 3
• Blue - exaggeration
• Purple - adjectives
Handwriting is Better Than Typing Answers
In this busy, hectic and modern world, everyone seems to be looking for the quickest and
easiest way to get things done. Just because something is faster, though, does not mean it is
always better. While typing on a keyboard may seem like the more convenient, efficient and
straightforward option, I am going to tell you why that is incorrect. Handwriting is most
certainly better than typing.
To begin, writing by hand is a fantastic tool for developing and strengthening fine motor
skills. Fine motor development is an essential part of our learning. Without these fine motor
skills, we would not only struggle to draw or write anything effectively but also to properly
feed ourselves, tie our shoelaces and button or zip our clothes. How on earth would we look
after ourselves? Typing on a keyboard may offer some small benefit towards our fine motor
Page 2 of 3 visit twinkl.com.au
development but, as it is a less complex task, not nearly as much as handwriting. For this
reason, it is so important to practice writing by hand, rather than on a keyboard, as often as
possible.
Additionally, when writing things down by hand you really do know what you are writing.
Studies have shown that while you are writing, your brain is simultaneously comprehending
each and every word. You know, understand and take in what you have written and can
easily recall where it all is on the page. Typing a text using a keyboard makes it much easier
to lose track of what you are writing, creating the very likely possibility that your text will
turn out to be far more confusing and incoherent.
Furthermore, have you ever seen someone working on a computer with just one tab open?
Well, I certainly haven’t! Computers may offer many exciting opportunities, but that also
means they offer many more distractions. Even if you don't have multiple programs and
tabs open and running at the same time there will still be a constant stream of pop-up
notifications, system alerts or even technical issues to distract you from your writing process.
Therefore, using computers, phones, laptops or any other devices to type your writing really
will not serve you well. They disturb and sidetrack your focus, which in turn will affect
your writing.
In conclusion, it is clear that the more traditional method of writing by hand is the
superior option. While writing with a keyboard may seem like a quick and fun option, it
is undoubtedly less effective in getting the job done properly. Stick to pen and paper - it’s
definitely the best way to write.
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